---------------------------------------------------------- Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ----------------------------------------------------------
PANJIM CORPORATION BILL. The People?s Movement for Civic Action (PMCA) had an Extraordinary General Body Meeting on Thursday, January 23, 2003 to discuss the recently passed City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002. Recent statements emanating from Official sources, including the Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Parikkar, have caused both concern and consternation among the general public. The passing of the City of Panaji Corporation Bill by the Goa Legislative Assembly without soliciting the opinions of the Panchayats concerned, has been universally and vehemently condemned by the respective Panchayats which are sought to be included in the ambit of the proposed City of Panaji Municipal Corporation. Even more disturbing is the fact that the Panjim Municipal Council, which is sought to be upgraded to a Corporation, was not consulted by the Government before it tabled this Bill in the Assembly and had it passed. Such an attitude is unprecedented and bodes ill for the future of democracy in Goa. The Chief Minister is reported to have stated that he will go ahead with the formation of the Municipal Corporation of Panaji, but that he will leave it to the Panchayats to decide whether they want to become part of the Corporation. If this is true, it makes a complete mockery of the Rule of Law. It has never been heard of anywhere in the world that a piece of Legislation is enacted which allows citizens to decide whether they want to be covered by the Legislation or not. A Law is either applicable or not. It is not left to the discretion of the citizens to decide whether it will apply to them or not. Statements such as those reported in the media about the coverage of this particular legislation only add to the general perception that the Government is either ignorant about, or is callous about the sanctity of legislation. The inherent contradictions in the legislation, reinforced by official pronouncements, only add to the disrespect for the Law, which is widely prevalent among the citizenry. While, on the one hand, the legislation seeks to bring within the ambit of the Municipal Corporation far-flung Panchayat areas, on the other hand it seeks to exclude areas which are presently part of the Panjim Municipal Council. There is no explanation for this gross contradiction in the official position of the Government of Goa. If Taleigao can be allowed to opt out of the Corporation limits, why can't Ribandar be allowed the same option? The meeting, chaired by Mr. Averthanus D?Souza, Vice President of the People's Movement for Civic Action, was addressed by Advocate Ms. Agni, who presented an overview of the legislation and indicated the inherent contradictions contained in it.
